Saradha scam accused Madan Mitra to be discharged from hospital

Kolkata: West Bengal Transport and Sports Minister Madan Mitra, who was arrested in the multi-crore-rupee Saradha scam, is likely to be discharged from hospital on Saturday as tests done on him have not revealed anything significant, a hospital official said.

Arrested on December 12 by the CBI for his alleged complicity in the scam, Mitra was admitted to the government-run SSKM Hospital after he complained of chest pain on December 19, the day he was sent to judicial custody by a city court till Janaury 2.

"He was admitted with problems related to cardiology, and tests done on him so far have not revealed anything significant. Therefore, the medical board has decided not keep him in the hospital any further," hospital director Pradip Mitra said.

If formalities are completed, he may be discharged on Saturday itself, otherwise he will be released on Monday, he said. The medical board will review Mitra's health a week later. Incidentally, the minister had Friday claimed his chest pain was 'still persisting'.

Congress leader Abdul Mannan has accused Madan Mitra of feigning illness and said the hospital doctors conspired with the ruling Trinamool Congress to shield the minister."After so many tests, the doctors are still not aware what is his illness? There is no doubt that he is feigning sickness and shamelessly using the hospital as a five-star hotel. If he continues to use the hospital like this, we will be moving the court," Mannan said.

"It seems the doctors too have become a part of the Trinamool's conspiracy to prevent Mitra from going back to jail and try to hinder the CBI probe in the scam," he added.